Asia
At this year’s CNBC East Tech West in Bangkok, the spotlight was on artificial intelligence, not just as a tool for innovation, but as a foundation for the systems that shape daily life.
Tan Bin Ru, President of Enterprise Digital at ST Engineering, joined industry leaders from across the region to discuss how AI is moving from the margins to the mainstream in Asia. The panel focused on Catalyzing AI’s growth and development across Asia, exploring how trusted ecosystems, strong public-private collaboration, and purpose-driven applications can unlock the region’s full potential.
Her core message: AI leadership in Southeast Asia will be defined not by who deploys the most advanced models, but by who builds the most trusted, responsible, and outcome-driven ecosystems.
Here are five key themes that emerged from the conversation.
While AI pilots and proof-of-concepts have gained traction across Southeast Asia, Bin Ru called for a shift in mindset - from short-term experimentation to long-term infrastructure.
“In this region, AI is no longer just a buzzword,” she said. “It’s becoming critical infrastructure in hospitals, transport systems, and public agencies.”
At ST Engineering, this shift is already underway. Its AI-enabled Hospital Command Centres, for instance, provide hospitals with real-time visibility into patient flow, bed availability, and clinical resources, helping them operate with greater speed, safety, and resilience. These aren’t siloed tools, but integrated platforms that combine engineering rigour with AI innovation to optimise outcomes.
Bin Ru emphasised that scalable AI must be built with purpose, not novelty. “We need to move beyond innovation for innovation’s sake, and focus on solutions that make a measurable difference in people’s lives.”
One of the most urgent takeaways from the panel was the need for stronger collaboration between governments, regulators, and industry.
“In this region, AI is no longer just a buzzword,” she said. “It’s becoming critical infrastructure in hospitals, transport systems, and public agencies.”
In Singapore, said Bin Ru, policymakers have taken an agile, partnership-driven approach. “Authorities aren’t working in isolation. They’re engaging startups and enterprises early, from draft policy stages, through forums like the Singapore Fintech Association and Blockchain Association.”
This collaborative model helps ensure new regulations are not only government-backed, but also industry-tested and regionally aligned, a critical factor for technologies like AI that move faster than traditional regulatory timelines.
Public-private partnership is also what allows national AI strategies to deliver real outcomes. “We can’t scale meaningful AI deployment without coordination,” she added. “You need buy-in from regulators, technology players, and on-the-ground implementers.”
As digital transformation picks up pace across the region, the importance of cybersecurity is becoming clearer, especially as AI becomes more embedded in public systems.
“Everyone’s excited about what AI can do,” said Bin Ru, “but we forget it also introduces new threats. Especially with generative AI, we must think proactively about risk.”
As AI becomes more embedded in critical infrastructure, the potential for misuse grows. In response, ST Engineering is exploring how to use AI not only as a tool for innovation, but also as a defence against AI-driven threats. This includes AI-enhanced cybersecurity systems and long-term bets on emerging fields such as quantum-resistant encryption.
“AI isn’t just a force for good,” she warned. “It can also be weaponised. Building trust means anticipating this, and designing safeguards early.”
A region’s readiness for AI isn’t just defined by policy or funding, it’s also cultural. In Singapore, said Bin Ru, digital literacy and openness to technology are being cultivated from a young age.
“Technology is deeply embedded in our education system. It’s not just about using tools, it’s about understanding how they work and where they fit.”
This cultural readiness translates into smoother implementation when new AI systems are introduced across industries. It also reduces resistance from frontline staff, whether in hospitals, transport hubs, or government services.
To truly scale AI adoption across Southeast Asia, similar investments in tech education, from schools to lifelong learning programmes, will be essential. “We need to prepare people, not just systems,” she said.
When asked what she most hopes to see in AI’s next chapter, Bin Ru didn’t hesitate: “A real breakthrough in healthcare. That’s where generative AI could deliver the most good.”
From AI scribes that summarise medical notes, to intelligent agents that help schedule patient appointments, the future of healthcare is being redefined by smart, modular systems that relieve administrative burden and enable more personalised care.
Platforms like ST Engineering’s AGIL® Care and AGIL® Genie are already making this shift possible, enabling hospitals to monitor patients in the community, support better care planning, and streamline workflows through explainable, plug-and-play AI agents. These systems are not designed to replace clinicians, but to support them with timely insights and reduce stress from manual, repetitive tasks.
Bin Ru added that the demand is clear: “We’re seeing the steepest AI adoption curve in sectors where people feel pressure, where systems are overburdened, and where technology can really extend capacity.”
Across the panel, one insight stood out: AI success in Southeast Asia will not come from copying global models, but from building systems tailored to local realities, with trust, security, and collaboration at their core.
“Leadership in AI isn’t about who builds the most sophisticated model,” Bin Ru said. “It’s about who builds the most useful one. That’s the opportunity we have in this region; to create systems that work for us, not just dazzle on paper.”
As Southeast Asia accelerates its digital future, the lesson is clear: AI leadership will be measured not by how fast we innovate, but how deeply we embed those innovations into the services that matter most - healthcare, mobility, education, and national resilience.
By subscribing to the mailing list, you confirm that you have read and agree with the Terms of Use and Personal Data Policy.